It’s safe to say that Mean Girls (2024) has very mixed reviews. With a 66% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and articles that range from natural titles such as Mean Girls review: ‘Get in, Loser,’ Regina George is Back (NY Times) to wildly negative titles like ‘Mean Girls’: Nothing to Come in 2024 Can Possible Be Worse (the observer).

But what exactly is causing these mixed opinions? Well, for one, lots of people are upset about the changes to the soundtrack. Many fan favorites from the original soundtrack were cut out in the movie adaptation. This, paired with the production of the new soundtrack, created the perfect equation for disaster. Though I have not heard many of the songs from the musical, I noticed that the ones I recognized didn’t have the same “umph” I was expecting. 

For example, Stupid With Love changed from a witty, upbeat love song to an underwhelming, “Olivia Rodrigo-fied” song. People were also upset at how many songs were left out. While the original Mean Girls soundtrack has over 20 songs, the 2024 version only has 13 (including the original song between Renae Rapp and Megan the Stallion), missing tracks such as Where Do You Belong?, It Roars, as well as Karen and Gretchen’s parts in Meet the Plastics. 

Along with the issues people had with the soundtrack, many weren’t satisfied with the actors’ performances either. Many people had quite a bit to say about Cady Heron herself. The actress, Angourie Rice, didn’t have any experience in musical roles before this point. Many found this to be a bold move on the directors. Lots of people found that the actress didn’t carry the same enthusiasm as the original actress, Erika Henningson. Hundreds of people have taken to social media in these past few weeks to share their thoughts on how the two soundtracks compare. 

But what did people like about the movie? Well, out of all the negative reviews and longing for something more like the original musical, one thing stood bright in the darkness. Renae Rapp. Rapp was, in many people’s eyes, a perfect Regina. She had played the character on Broadway in 2019 and 2020, giving her the experience she needed to keep Regina’s spirit in the movie. Her performances in Meet the Plastics, and World Burn left viewers stunned.  Many people feel that Renae saved the entire soundtrack. 

While people will continue to harshly critique this movie, some people are being unfair to the 2024 adaptation. Many are comparing it to the original Mean Girls from 2004. Even if this movie is less than satisfactory for many, it’s important to remember that this is an adaptation of a musical. Not a remake of a cult classic.